The 3^rd phase of EHA-STRC (Manipur and Nagaland) came into operation on 1^st of October 2014 after a gap of 13 months. The signing of contract with NACO, Manipur SACS and Nagaland SACS was completed in the month of August 2014 and due processes for recruitment of staff started from last week of August and was completed by September.

• Update on the various activities carried out by the EHA-STRC staff in both the stated included (1)Training of staff (2) Academic Committee meetings in both states to discuss and approve training programs (3) Meeting with state AIDS Socieities in both states for coordination of training (4) Training Needs Assessement (5) Conduct Trainings (6) Training Impact Assessement (7) Conduct Operational Research (8) Maintain website and share learnings

• In Nagaland, 163 trainings were conducted on various topics like Program Management, Truckers and Migrants Programs, Accounts and Mangement of Information System, Counselling. The trainees included various categories of staff working in Targeted Interventions TI) programs under State AIDS Control Socieities.

• In Manipur, 157 similar trainings were conducted.

• STRC Plan for 2015-16 includes scheduling and condcting of all the above;

www.shalomdelhi.org

Shalom Delhi was set up in 2001 to provide Care for People Living with HIV/AIDs in Delhi, which was according to all principles and ethos, a Palliative Care program providing holistic care. In 2011 Palliative Care services were expanded to include people with cancer, organ failures and neurological diseases. It targets those people in society who are marginalized, as they are the ones who find it hardest to access care. Hence a large number of Shalom's clients are economically poor, and many have conditions like HIV/AIDS for which palliative care interventions are much needed. It adopts a comprehensive approach in its provision of care, seeking to address the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of its clients and their families.  Shalom has a multi-disciplinary team of staff members, providing care in the hospital, home and community settings. Following are the components in Shalom:

Medical Care helps control symptoms like pain, treats infections due to reduced immunity and manages palliative care emergencies. Long term relationships are built with clients and their families. Counseling is provided in areas such as proper adherence to medication, building self-esteem, coping with the illness, managing health problems at home, and improving family relationships. Home Base Care Program(for HIV patients and for Cancer patients) seeks to meet the needs of clients and their families in the setting of their own homes.  During home visits the home care team monitors the client’s condition and provides symptom relief, supportive care and counseling. An Adolescent Program for adolescents growing up in families affected with HIV helps mitigate the impact of the epidemic in their lives and provides opportunities for them to develop in a wholesome manner. A Transgender Program offers medical and home based care services for transgenders with HIV, who are a highly marginalized group. A Livelihood Program provides opportunities for women affected with HIV to reconstruct their livelihood through opportunities that provide a fair income, and in conditions that are easily accessible, flexible and supportive to their needs.

The different programs complement each other and work together to constitute the Palliative Care Service provided by Shalom. Through its patient-centered, compassionate, and competent services, Shalom has provided and is continuing to provide much needed palliative care for highly marginalized and under-served sections of urban society.

~ Dr Rebecca Sinate & Dr Aiban Lyngdoh

Project ORCHID-Organized Response for Comprehensive HIV Interventions in Districts of Manipur and Nagaland was funded by Avahan under the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a ten-year period (2004-2013) to curtail the spread of HIV among high risk groups through targeted interventions (Tis).

The Australian International Health Institute now Nossal Institute of Global Health-NIGH, University of Melbourne led Phase-1 (2004-09) as the Principal Recipient (PR) with EHA being the SR (Sub-Recipient). In Phase-2 (2009-13) EHA was the PR and NIGH, the SR. ORCHID implemented harm reduction targeted interventions (TIs) through 30 NGO partners across 13 districts in Manipur and Nagaland working to reduce HIV&STI transmission among IDUs, FSW, MSM and their sexual partners and spouses. By March 2013, ORCHID had successfully transitioned all its TIs to the Manipur and Nagaland SACS. Post transition, ORCHID will work on several identified priority areas. (See Table 2.2)

Key Achivements

In its last year of operation, EHA Project ORCHID carried out essentially dissemination and technical support activities at the international stage.

Cross Learning Workshop on Harm Reduction for IDUs between Northeast India and Myanmar, Yangon [14-15 August 2014] was conducted in collaboration with Asian Harm Reduction Network (ARHN) Myanmar. The workshop brought together policy makers and high ranking law enforcement officials from Myanmar and representatives from Indian government (NACO), National and international NGO implementers from Myanmar, UNAIDS, and technical experts for exchange of knowledge, learning and explore explore potentials for future partnerships in order to scale up of harm reduction initiatives especially along the international borders between India and Myanmar.

Cross Learning Workshop on Harm Reduction for IDUs between Northeast India and Africa, Zanzibar [25-26 August 2014] which was a collaborative workshop between Zanzibar AIDS Commission (ZAC); India Learning Network/BRIDGE Project and Project ORCHID. Eight African countries with representation both from the government, NGOs and bilateral agencies as well as the Indian government (NACO) representatives attended the workshop where they share knowledge, learning and possible solutions to program challenges in order to scale up harm reduction initiatives in these countries.

Onsite technical support: ORCHID has been supporting Médecins du Monde (MdM) Tanzania and Tanzanian Network of People who Use Drugs (TaNPUD) since May 2014 on key areas such as : Perspective Building, Strategic planning, Leadership building, Financial management and organizational development for TaNPUD; Outreach planning training and development of guidelines for field implementers at MdM Tanzania.

CoNE Support: EHA Project ORCHID continued its support to the Community Network of Empowerment (CoNE) Manipur in several areas such as leadership development through trainings and building up of leaders from the community, community led strategic planning, institutionalizing network review systems, etc. CoNE has demonstrated community actions that have led to reduction of vulnerabilities among the HRGs and continue to work towards protection of the welfare of the vulnerable groups in the state of Manipur and beyond.

EHA NEO+: Established as a follow up program, based on experiences gained, it seeks to provide technical support assistance to (1) harm reduction / Injecting drug users interventions to Sub-Saharan African Countries (2) primary prevention and care, counselling support services to churches and other civil society organizations (3) organizational development & financial management support services for non government organizations including churches and (4) focus on reaching hitherto poorly reached areas like prisons, tea gardens, coal mines. PMU Office in CBCNEI Mission Compound Guwahati is retained and is expected to serve as Liaison Office for EHA Units in NE. Dr Rebecca Sinate returned to EHA from NACO North East Office where she served as Team Leader (TI/NERO) and took charge of the PMU/NE Liaison Office and also Community Health Partnership Projects.

Established 15 years ago, Shalom Mizoram with the support of both national and international agencies, provided a continuum of HIV/AIDS prevention and care program for the most at risk population and for those who are infected and affected. SHALOM Mizoram is a HIV/AIDS project of EHA, started in December 1997 as a community based HIV/AIDS prevention and care program. Located in Aizawl in Mizoram, SHALOM aims to reduce HIV transmission, provide care to People Living With HIV/AIDS, and minimize the negative socio-economic impact of HIV on individuals, families and communities in Mizoram.

Major Projects:
Targeted intervention among Injecting Drug Users, Telephonic Counselling Services, Peer Educator Placement, Awareness Creation on HIV/AIDS among local churches, Justice and HIV & AIDS Project, and capacity building of PLWHAs

Major Highlights: 2014-2015

Targeting Youth (12-19 years) - Objective is to address their vulnerabilities to substance abuse and sex and sexuality. Information was provided through peer leaders and through social network using SMS and Facebook. This innovative project was supported by World Review, USA.

Targeted Intervention (TI) for injecting drug users (IDU - This is our regular program implemented with support from National AIDS Control Organization through Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS). Out of the total target of 5374 needles and syringes to be distributed only 3782 could be done due to delay in fund release and procurement. OST demand far exceeded MSACS’ target allocation of 50 clients. 6 monthly check up of IDUs for HIV and STD reached over 80%.

Integrated Care Clinic for IDUs (with support from YRG Care, Chennai) registered 180+ clients, 150+ tested for HIV, 120+ for STI, 30+ tested for TB, 150+ enrolled for NSEP.

Integrated Care and Support for PLHA (People living with HIV/AIDS) were supported by TEAR Australia and EFICOR. The program included anomynous meeting of PLHA, formation of self help groups (SHG) and provision of nutrional support, home care and support. We worked closely with postive networks and trained volunteers from the churches.

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